MA IDS Thesis Projects
Date of Award
1-1-2016
Document Type
Thesis
College
College of Theology, Arts, & Sciences
Department
International Development and Service
Degree Name
International Development and Service, MA
First Supervisor
Dr. Julie Dodge
Abstract
Uganda has an estimated 2.5 million orphans, one of the highest numbers in the world. War and HIV/AIDS has left 25 percent of all households to look after at least one orphaned child. The orphaned children that don’t end up in a household end up homeless, living and working on the street. Children living on the streets of Uganda experience violence and discrimination everyday. Many kids leave home because of domestic abuse, neglect, and poverty only to suffer the brutal realities of living on the streets. They now lack clean water, proper shelter, a nutritional diet, have health concerns and are constantly exposed to illicit drugs, and communicable and sexually transmitted diseases. Additionally, street children can be vulnerable to exploitation in the form of child labor, prostitution, and trafficking. These children become especially vulnerable because they lack a support system that seeks to improve their education, health, and overall well-being. The government of Uganda is failing to protect its homeless children against police brutalities and other human right violations.